Every year, thousands of candidates apply for admission into Nigerian universities through the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB). However, not every candidate gets admission into their chosen course or institution on the first attempt.

Many students eventually discover that they need to change their course, institution, or both to increase their chances of admission. This process is officially known as Change of Course and Institution.

The change of course or institution option allows candidates to modify their initial choices after the release of their Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) results or during the admission process.

Understanding when to change your course or institution, how to do it properly, and the mistakes to avoid can significantly improve your chances of gaining admission into a Nigerian tertiary institution.

This comprehensive guide explains everything Nigerian students need to know about changing course or institution through JAMB.

What Is Change of Course and Institution?

Change of Course and Institution is a service provided by Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board that allows candidates to modify the choices they made during their UTME registration.

Candidates can change:

• Their course of study
• Their institution
• Both the course and institution

This option is particularly useful when a candidate realizes that their current UTME score may not be sufficient for their chosen course or university.

For example, a candidate who initially applied for Medicine and Surgery but scored 180 may decide to change to Microbiology or Anatomy, which have lower admission competition.

Why Students Change Course or Institution

There are several reasons why candidates decide to change their course or institution.

Understanding these reasons can help students make better admission decisions.

1. Low UTME Score

One of the most common reasons for changing course or institution is a low UTME score.

Highly competitive courses such as:

• Medicine
• Law
• Pharmacy
• Engineering

usually require very high UTME scores.

If a candidate scores below the expected cut-off mark, changing to a less competitive course may increase admission chances.

2 High Competition for Certain Courses

Some courses attract thousands of applicants every year.

Examples include:

• Medicine and Surgery
• Nursing
• Law
• Computer Science
• Pharmacy

Because universities have limited admission spaces, many candidates must change their course to less competitive programs.

3. Institutional Cut-Off Marks

Different universities have different admission cut-off marks.

Some top universities may require 200–250 or higher, while others accept 160–180.

Candidates who do not meet the cut-off for their preferred institution may change to another university with a lower cut-off mark.

4. Admission Quota Limitations

The National Universities Commission regulates the number of students each university can admit per program.

For example:

• Medicine programs often admit fewer students.
• Some departments have limited capacity.

Because of this, universities may advise candidates to change to related courses.

5. Personal Interest Change

Some students realize after UTME that they are more interested in another field.

For example:

A candidate may initially choose Accounting but later decide to study Economics or Business Administration.

When Should You Change Your Course or Institution?

Timing is very important when changing course or institution.

Here are the best times to do it.

1. After UTME Results Are Released

The best time to change your course or institution is after UTME results are released.

Once candidates know their scores, they can evaluate their admission chances realistically.

Example:

If a candidate scores 170, applying for Medicine may not be realistic in most universities.

Changing early improves admission opportunities.

2. When Universities Release Post-UTME Requirements

Many universities release Post-UTME cut-off marks.

If your score does not meet the requirement, you may need to change your course or institution.

3. When Admission Lists Start Appearing

Sometimes candidates are advised to change course if they are not selected for their original program.

Some universities display messages like:

“Consider changing to another course.”

This is often done through the JAMB CAPS admission system.

4. When You Realize Your Subject Combination Is Incorrect

Some candidates discover they chose the wrong UTME subject combination.

If the subjects do not match the course requirements, changing to another course may be necessary.

How to Change Course and Institution Properly

Changing course or institution is done through the JAMB portal.

Below is the step-by-step process.

Step 1: Visit the JAMB Portal

Candidates must visit the official website of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board.

From there, they can access the e-facility portal.

Step 2: Login to Your JAMB Profile

Use your:

• Registered email address
• Password

to log into your JAMB account.

Step 3: Select Correction of Data

After logging in, click on:

“Correction of Data”

Then choose:

“Change of Course/Institution.”

Step 4: Make Payment

Candidates must pay the required fee.

The fee is usually about ₦2,500 (excluding service charges).

Payment can be made using:

• ATM card
• Bank transfer
• Online payment options

Step 5: Select New Course or Institution

Candidates can now choose:

• A new institution
• A new course
• Both

Make sure the selected course matches your UTME subject combination.

Step 6: Submit the Application

After confirming the changes, submit the application.

A confirmation slip will be generated.

Important Rules When Changing Course or Institution

Students must follow certain rules to avoid admission problems.

1. Choose Institutions That Accept Your Score

Always confirm the minimum UTME score required by the university.

2. Confirm Course Requirements

Each course has specific requirements, including:

• UTME subjects
• O-level subjects

Choosing a course without meeting the requirements may lead to admission rejection.

3. Ensure O-Level Results Are Uploaded

Candidates must upload their WAEC, NECO, or NABTEB results on the JAMB portal.

Without O-level upload, admission cannot be processed.

4. Choose Institutions With Available Admission Slots

Some universities fill their admission slots quickly.

Choosing universities still accepting candidates increases admission chances.

How Many Times Can You Change Course or Institution?

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board allows candidates to change their course or institution multiple times.

However, each change requires a new payment.

Because of this, candidates should carefully research before making changes.

Common Mistakes Students Make When Changing Course or Institution

Many candidates lose admission opportunities due to avoidable mistakes.

Choosing Highly Competitive Courses Again

Some students change from one competitive course to another equally competitive one.

Example:

Changing from Medicine to Pharmacy without a high UTME score.

Ignoring O-Level Requirements

Courses like Medicine and Engineering require specific science subjects.

Ignoring these requirements can disqualify candidates.

Changing Too Late

Some students wait until after admission lists are almost complete before changing institutions.

Late changes reduce admission chances.

Not Checking University Policies

Some universities do not accept candidates who did not initially select them.

Always confirm admission policies.

Best Strategies to Increase Admission Chances

To maximize admission opportunities, candidates should:

Choose Realistic Courses

Pick courses that match your UTME score.

Research Universities Carefully

Check:

• Cut-off marks
• Admission history
• Course competitiveness

Consider Less Competitive Universities

Some universities receive fewer applications.

Applying to these institutions can increase admission chances.

Can Changing Course Affect Admission?

Changing course does not negatively affect admission if done correctly.

In fact, it can increase admission chances.

For example:

A candidate who changes from Medicine to Biochemistry may have a higher chance of admission.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Change Course Without Changing Institution?

Yes.

Candidates can change only their course while keeping the same university.

Can I Change Institution Without Changing Course?

Yes.

Candidates may change to another university offering the same course.

Is Change of Course Compulsory?

No.

It is optional and depends on a candidate’s admission strategy.

Conclusion

Changing course or institution is a valuable option provided by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board to help candidates improve their chances of gaining admission into Nigerian tertiary institutions.

Many students fail to secure admission each year simply because they refuse to adjust their choices based on their UTME scores or university admission requirements.

By understanding when to change your course or institution, how to do it correctly, and the mistakes to avoid, candidates can significantly increase their chances of securing admission.

The key to success is research, careful planning, and timely decision-making.